Referees

Authority

Referees are the central authority, the "expert," of the ring. The judges, technical officials, competitors, and coaches look to the referee to direct the contest, maintain control, and enforce rules. Authority does not come automatically with the position of referee. It is a quality of the individual person that is developed over time. Authority is measurable and the presence of a strong authority creates respect, confidence, and credibility. The ability to establish authority requires a proficiency in all the necessary qualities of a referee. A weakness in any single area can quickly undermine authority.

In establishing authority, a referee must remain calm, confident, and rational even under the most difficult of situations. An expert knowledge of Taekwondo protocols and the rules are required. Most importantly, a rapport must be developed with the two judges so the group may work effectively as a team.

Authority requires confidence. When a call is made, the referee should not make direct visual contact with the judges to determine whether they agree to disagree. This direct checking indicates a lack of confidence in the call that was made. A referee who continually looks at both judges after a call or who looks to the judges before making a call demonstrates a clear lack of confidence, knowledge, and ability.